MALONE — "The Space Between" is the title painting and theme for Noreen Sadue's latest exhibition at the new Pouring Light Studios and Gallery in Malone.

"Undercurrents" and "Deep Blue" have similar oceanic hues.

"These two pieces are lightly done like watercolor," said Sadue, a Plattsburgh-based artist. "They're acrylic, but they don't have the layering the other ones have."

She's worked on this new body of work the past six months.

"It's abstract with a hint of landscape. The horizon line is in half of them. Most are fairly small, postcard size."

RUST AND GREENS
Other works include "Equilibrium," "Resonance" and "Midnight," which were painted on vellum.

"It's a frosted paper. It's just rich and creamy. It's nice and smooth. It won't work for every medium."

Sadue rubbed the paint with a cloth and brush to achieve an atmospheric effect. Inspired by nature's hues, she painted "Ember Glow" at Charlie and Karen King's annual Artists in the Garden event in Malone. The painting is a small gessoed section of mat board.

"Flowing South," "Standpoint" and "Flowing North" reveals her penchant for rust.

"I'm inspired by the color and texture of rusted metal that is pitted."

"Spring," the first work in this series, received a third-place award at the Saranac Lake Artists Guild's Open Show in March.

"I was really pleased with that piece and began painting more abstractly," Sadue said. "I had done it in the past but not for years."

She continued in the same vein and painted one after another after another.

"It's been a productive, creative six months."

EBB AND FLOW
In her artist statement, she writes:

"The creative process encompasses trial and error, solving and resolving, exploring new ideas and moving beyond the boundaries that often keep us in our comfort zone. Personally, my desire to respond to the richness of my experiences, interactions, subtle shifts and changes that occur in my life, is what ultimately drives my own process.

"Translating responses into work that can provide a visual experience for an audience creates an opportunity for a connection between artist and viewer through response and dialogue. This shared experience is personal to each viewer. Through conversation I am able to provide insight as to what inspires me, as well as take in the new perspectives of those who view the work."

A color person, her palette is darker, though not in terms of mood, and richer.

"I'm interested in texture and light — really rich blues and reds, even fall colors. The process has an ebb and a flow. I did a lot in the summer. I was happy with the work and really liked what I was getting. I was more motivated and inspired to do that work even after teaching. And the weekends, of course, are great."

A veteran teacher of 20 years, she has taught the last decade at Saranac Central School.

"In the summer, I don't work," Sadue said. "I have really made it a point to dedicate part of my summers to my own work. It's a real, fresh time when I actually feel I can be productive."

E-mail Robin Caudell at: rcaudell@pressrepublican.com